We live in a world filled with people who are confused, misguided, and very wrong about God and what he allows and doesn’t allow. The big issue that accompanies the homosexual discussion is same-sex marriage. The supporters of that issue are homosexuals, their sympathizers, churches filled with members who are being led by clergymen who know not the Word of God. Now that may be a strong statement and it does challenge them to prove they know the Word. If they say they know the Word, their words about same-sex marriage gives lie to what they say.

For example, here is what a clergyman said, Same-sex marriage is "an issue of justice," declared retired Grace Church Bishop Joe Doss. "The church, when it sorts out all the various issues that have come before it through history, always lands on the side of justice because that's where God is." With that in mind, Doss said he had to question "whether or not the Senate is the place to debate these matters." Instead, these issues should be settled "in the councils of the church, supported by the seminaries and places of learning and their churches, synagogues and houses of worship." Then a lawyer chimed in: Same-sex marriage "is a debate that belongs in churches, synagogues and mosques," said Jonathan Turvey of the George Washington University School of Law. (http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200605/CUL20060523a.html)  A cleric in the Church of England, Bishop Richard Harries, says the Bible supports homosexual relationships but offers no proof except to say such relationships are about faithfulness and stability. He is but another liberal trying to make that behavior which God says is sin acceptable.

Mr. Doss said it was an issue of justice. Wrong! The issue is one of sin. Paul wrote the following regarding the issue at hand: [Rom 1:24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:[Rom 1:25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [Rom 1:26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [Rom 1:27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. These verses don’t address same sex marriage, but they don’t have to. Same sex marriage falls into the area of which Paul addressed and is direct conflict with the Mr. Doss types of the world. 

Debate isn’t needed for God has settled the issue. [Gen 2:20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. [Gen 2:21] And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; [Gen 2:22] And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. [Gen 2:23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. [Gen 2:24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. [Gen 2:25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The church is supposed to be a group of people who live in the light of Christ, living a new life free of deliberate sin. The content for that life is settled by scripture and no amount of debate, words about justice, and fairness will change the fact that same-sex marriage is sin. Paul told Titus: [Titus 1:15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [Titus 1:16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.  The word pure means free from every corruption and same-sex marriage doesn’t fit the definition of pure.

A people that sets a course that is in direct conflict with the clear teaching of God is facing peril. Even more, the Words of Jesus in Revelation about entering eternal life must be heeded: [Rev 21:27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Those who champion same-sex marriage and practice it, take heed. Debate on the issue is futile and not believing God’s Word is a certain death warrant for those on the wrong path.

© 05-27-2006 DEC

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